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Welcome!
Welcome!
We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural Noah Wallace IDEA+ Community Newsletter for the 2024–25 school year! The IDEA+ Club is committed to celebrating and uplifting every member of our vibrant school community, and we’re excited to share reflections that highlight our collective diversity and creativity.
This newsletter will feature contributions from YOU—our Noah Wallace families—across three seasonal issues: Fall, Winter, and Spring. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed photos, recipes, and insights about holidays and cultural traditions for this issue. Your stories are what make this initiative so meaningful!
If you couldn’t participate this time, we’d love to include your family’s seasonal celebrations, recipes, traditions, or other reflections in future issues. Whether it’s a personal story, a favorite recipe, a cherished photograph, or a book recommendation, we welcome it all—no idea is too small! Submissions will be featured in upcoming newsletters and on our website.
By sharing glimpses into each other’s worlds, we hope to strengthen and celebrate the dynamic, diverse community that makes Noah Wallace so special.
Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Next submission deadline: 2/28/25
Final issue submission deadline: 5/16/25
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Friday, November 22nd at 6:30pm
Farmington High School Auditorium
RSVP to reserve your free tickets using this form by contacting Kristen Wilder
‘Tis the season for hilarity & fun! Sit back and enjoy as different holidays and cultures come together for a truly festive wintertime show. Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC is visiting Farmington and will be performing their acclaimed show Holidays Around the World.
Join actors Nick and Joy in their quest to make it home for the holidays. Their journey brings much more than they ever imagined! The traditions and holidays which abound throughout winter are celebrated in this show. From Kwanzaa to Christmas to The Festival of Lights, this unique production looks into the celebrations that occur around the globe during this special time of year. Audience volunteers help to bring in the Chinese New Year with a colorful dragon, while the Lori festival brings to the stage colorful costumes and stories from India.
You’ll hear a range of songs holiday songs from “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” and “Auld Lang Syne” to “Away in a Manger,” “Sankta Lucia”, and so much more. This show is packed with music & celebrations that take place this time of year around the globe.
Festival of Lights
Festival of Lights
Friday, December 13th at 6:30pm
Noah Wallace School
Join us for this festive tradition! The 4th Grade Choir celebrates festivals of light from many traditions through music! Enjoy songs from around the globe, and join our sing-along too! Stay for good cheer, hot cocoa and cookies after the concert.
Students Teach About Noah Wallace
Students Teach About Noah Wallace
K.I.D. Club
K.I.D. Club
By: Areeb & Reagan
Did you know that Noah Wallace School has the largest K.I.D. club in town? What is K.I.D. club? K.I.D. club is about Kindness, Inclusion, and Diversity. We learn about other cultures, holidays, and celebrations. We learned about Diwali and how people celebrate it as the festival of lights. Families light diyas and decorate their front porch and driveway with rangoli. At one of our other meetings we talked about the book Change Sings. It is about how a girl helps change the world with music and kindness. The author is Amanda Gorman and we each got a copy of the book to take home. The message is to always be kind and spread peace. We make new friends and spread kindness all around Noah Wallace School and our community. Mrs. McMullen, Mr. Conroy and Dr Wilder help us learn and have fun at this club.
K.I.D. Club
K.I.D. Club
By Harper and Rose
We work together in the K.I.D Club as a community. We often talk about how to help others. We help others by making them feel comfortable at Noah Wallace School. We help others feel joyful, safe and engaged at Noah Wallace School. We help people by making them feel like they belong at Noah Wallace School. We want them to feel safe at Noah Wallace School. We talk about how to change Noah Wallace School and make Noah Wallace School even better. We want people to come together and be a community together. When we help people come together, people feel safe in our community. We are proud to be members of KID Club.
Socktober
Socktober
By Matsey and Luisa
Have you ever wondered what Socktober is? Well in Noah Wallace we celebrate Socktober every October and we donate socks to a homeless shelter. We do this to help people in our community. This year we donated 379 pairs of socks! As a way to celebrate our community project we celebrate silly sock day at the end of every October. We wear silly socks in all the different ways possible. For example my teacher wore socks with a plane with a Seagull next to it and on the other leg she had a Sea Turtle and a Whale side by side with a boat floating over it.
Some people may not believe it, but there are people that don’t have socks. We are helping them have a better life. Imagine winter is coming and you don’t have any socks. This project helps them to get prepared for the freezing cold weather. It’s like donating to charity but also having a celebration after you donate. Socktober is so fun because you are helping people and you can wear silly socks as a celebration that you donated. You fill somebody’s heart when you donate to them. Thank you to everybody who supports the homeless or gives to charity.
How We Sing Happy Birthday At Our Noah Wallace Assemblies
How We Sing Happy Birthday At Our Noah Wallace Assemblies
By Mukhilan, Emily & Malliga
At Noah Wallace (also referred to as ‘NW’), once a month we have an assembly. Sometimes we have a concert when the choir sings or we might have one class from a grade talk about a topic or theme together. Sometimes special guests come to our school to educate us or do something cool at our assemblies. Something that we mostly do at every assembly is after everyone has arrived, NW students, including teachers and staff, sing the Happy Birthday song in English to the teachers, students and staff whose birthday is in that month.
Depending on the month, we also sing happy birthday in another language. The music teacher or Dr. Huber decides the other language that we will be singing by thinking about any festival or celebration in that month. Then we sing happy birthday in that language at the assembly. Mrs. Speranza (the music teacher) sets the tune for the song in the language we are singing by using a musical instrument called the Ukulele or guitar. The words in another language are projected on the two big screens in the gym. It shows the lyrics for the song in the other language so we know how to pronounce what we need to sing. This helps us respect other cultures and make sure that everyone feels included, especially our students who are English Language learners. We are fortunate to have 47 students whose first language was something other than English. Students speak Spanish, German, Telegu, and many other languages!
This is how we sing happy birthday at our Noah Wallace assemblies.
Community Connections Center
Community Connections Center
By: Reeva and Ava
The Community Connections Board is a place in our school that brings us together. It also tells other people who you are on the inside and outside. On the Community Connections Board, there are questions that include:
What is your favorite hobby?
What is your favorite thing to do on a fall day?
Which subject do you prefer?
Where did you travel this summer?
How many siblings do you have?
During community events, students use string to answer the questions on the board. Each of the color coded strings represents a group of people in our school or community. Each question asks what you like or dislike or prefer. You can also look at the community connections center to see how many people like what you like, and have the same interests or non-interests as you. Additionally, you can find people that you may want to play with by looking at the community connections center. The community connections center brings us together and celebrates our commonalities and uniqueness!
Noah Wallace Celebrates
Noah Wallace Celebrates
Maudy Thursday with the Smith Family
Maudy Thursday with the Smith Family
Submitted by the family of Jane (Mrs. DelGuidice / 4th grade)
Maundy Thursday, the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s last supper with his disciples, the Thursday before Easter Sunday, has always marked a special time as Christians in the Smith home. Each year we honor this commemoration in part by doing as Jesus did at the last supper: washing the feet of his disciples, showing his humility, service to others, non-judgment, and selflessness. In John 13:10, “Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’” As Congregationalist Christians in the United Church of Christ, we truly value our open and affirming values, where who you are, who you love, and how you identify are both celebrated and encouraged. Here is a photograph of our family washing one another’s feet.
"Diwalloween" with the Ramanan family
"Diwalloween" with the Ramanan family
Submitted by the family of Shwetha (Mrs. Jessica O’Brien / 3rd grade)
Diwali
Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. In a multicultural and diverse country like India, everyone has their way of celebrating this festival. Even though their belief in it may be different, the enthusiasm, vivaciousness, and joy it brings to people's lives is what binds everyone together.
Diwali is celebrated as the festival of lights, during which homes are decorated with candles. Diwali projects the rich and glorious past and teaches its observers to uphold the true values of life.
Diwali is celebrated with worship, sharing sweets, fireworks and lights. While the story varies from region to region, its essence remains the same. People learn to rejoice in the inner light and the underlying reality of things.
Celebrating Birthdays with the Rajbhandari-Chitrakar Family
Celebrating Birthdays with the Rajbhandari-Chitrakar Family
Submitted by the family of Nishka (Mrs. O'Brien / 3rd grade) and Nerisha (Mr. Abraham / 2nd grade)
In our family, we celebrate birthdays according to the Nepali tithi (lunar) calendar, which follows the Bikram Sambat system. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, where birthdays fall on the same date each year, the date of a tithi birthday changes annually based on the position of the sun and moon at the time of birth.
Our tithi birthdays are marked by special rituals that express gratitude for the past year, celebrate good health, and invoke blessings for the year to come. We honor Lord Ganesh, the god of prosperity, and the nine planets. A key part of the celebration is the eating of sagan, a ritual that includes five symbolic food items representing the five elements: fire (alcohol or yogurt for children), earth (meat), water (smoked fish), aether (lentil cake), and air (boiled egg). The birthday person is showered with gifts, usually new clothes, and blessings from both seniors and juniors.
In our family, we call these anda khane birthdays (egg-eating birthdays) to distinguish them from the Western-style cake khane birthdays (cake-eating birthdays). We celebrate both types of birthdays with equal enthusiasm, as each honors our cultural traditions and focuses on love, gratitude, and the sense of community that binds us together.
Food for Thought
Food for Thought
Thai Inspired Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Thai Inspired Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Submitted by the Ramanan family
Submitted by the Ramanan family
Ingredients:
Butternut Squash -1
carrots - 1
Garlic bulb -1
smoked paprika - to sprinkle
Olive oil - as needed
Red chillies (optional for extra heat)
Turmeric - to sprinkle
Onions - 1 diced
Lemon grass paste or fresh - 2 tsp paste or 1 lemongrass fresh
Ginger paste - 1 tbsp
vegetable stock - 3 cups
Thai red chilli paste - 3 tsp
Full fat coconut milk - 2 cups
Brown sugar- 1 tbsp
salt and pepper - as needed
Toppings - Roasted peanuts,Croutons (Optional )
Directions
Cut the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, place it in oven safe pan squash inside facing up, add carrots, garlic bulb, Red chillies. Sprinkle
turmeric, smoked paprika and drizzle olive oil and bake it in the pre-heated oven at 350 degree F until well roasted.
In a medium hot pan add oil, diced onions, ginger paste, lemongrass, thai red chilli paste and saute well. Once sauted for about 5 minutes, add vegetable stock and mix well. Keep it aside.
Add Butternut squash (scoop out the squash from skin), add carrots, garlic bulb, chillies, brown sugar to a blender, add the prepared vegetable stock mix and blend all together.
Transfer it to a medium heat pan, add coconut milk, salt and pepper as needed. Mix well until well combined.
Serve it in a bowl with roasted peanuts, crouton, cilantro and fresh lime optional.
Notes - I usually use a sieve to filter out the small chunks in the soup before adding the coconut milk. It makes the soup more creamier and easy for the kids to eat it.
From the Noah Wallace Library
From the Noah Wallace Library
The Noah Wallace library has a vast collection of books! Here we are highlighting a few of Ms. Jusseaume’s favorites this time of year!
Gratitude is my Superpower
Gratitude is my Superpower
by Alicia Ortego
This book is part of a collection of tales developed to help children gain awareness and nurture their emotions and values beginning at a young age. In this story, "Little Betsy will learn that happiness is made up of simple things in life, both small and big. With the help of the magic stone, she will begin to feel gratitude for her parents, friends, and toys. But what happens when little Betsy forgets to use the magic of her stone? She will realize that the power of gratitude is hidden in her heart. "Gratitude is my superpower" will teach your little ones to appreciate the warmth of home, time spent playing with friends, and family relationships."
Kindred Spirits
Kindred Spirits
by Leslie Stall Widener | Illustrated by Johnson Yazzie
This book helps celebrate Native American Heritage Month, kindness, and empathy. "A nonfiction picture book about the inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in history--connecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe." From the 1845 Irish Potato Famine to present day this tale shows how "Empathy creates kindness that lives well beyond a single act and includes more people the bigger it grows."
Father Eagle and the Hunter
Father Eagle and the Hunter
by Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo
This book helps celebrate Native American Heritage Month as the story reveals how Father Eagle became a cultural honor to the Lakota people. The story tells of a hunter who "was tired of only finding berries and seeds to feed his hungry village, so he decided to look far and wide for some meat to bring to them. When he spotted a tall tree, he climbed to the top and discovered a nest with three eaglets. “What a tasty soup the three little birds will make!” thought the hunter.
Hearing the warning cries of the eaglets, Father Eagle flew to their rescue. Father Eagle told the hunter that if he did not take the eaglets, he would ask the Great Spirit to help the village. The hunter decided to trust Father Eagle and watched him soar high into the sky. Father Eagle returned and told the hunter that the Great Spirit would help his people and would not let his village perish.
From that day forward, the game was plentiful, the people flourished, and the Eagle was forever respected and honored."
Upcoming Community Events
Upcoming Community Events
Thanksgiving Storytime
Thanksgiving Storytime
Manross Library, 260 Central Street, Bristol CT
Saturday, November 23, 2024 11am-12pm
Free - reservations requested 860-584-7790
Let's Celebrate! Worldwide
Let's Celebrate! Worldwide
Stepping Stones Children’s Museum, Norwalk, CT
November 18 - December 31, 2024
Free with admission, see website for featured experiences on various dates
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us during Let's Celebrate! Worldwide, a joyful exploration of holiday traditions from around the globe. Experience the warmth of Thanksgiving through giving and gathering, discover the wonder of international fables and folktales and enjoy a special countdown to 2025 as we learn how other cultures ring in the new year.
18th Annual Candlelight Tours: Christmas in Connecticut at Stanley Whitman House
18th Annual Candlelight Tours: Christmas in Connecticut at Stanley Whitman House
37 High Street, Farmington, CT
Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 12pm-4pm
$25 / Ticket reservations
Winter Wonderland Second Saturdays for Families
Winter Wonderland Second Saturdays for Families
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT
December 14, 2024 - 12pm – 2pm
Free
Get ready to deck the halls and create decorations inspired by winter celebrations from around the world. Join our friends from the Japan Society of Greater Hartford and the Mandell Jewish Community Center of Greater Hartford to learn about the customs and traditions of the winter solstice. Then enjoy the Hartt School Community Division’s special performance of snippets from the Nutcracker.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Kwanzaa Celebration
hosted by Queen Ann Nzinga Center at Raymond Hill School, 345 Linwood St. New Britain, CT
Saturday, December 14, 2024 - 4pm (doors open at 3:30pm)
$15 - Ticket reservations
Join us for our annual Kwanzaa celebration. Featuring live music, performances and more!
Kwanzaa Thinking & Doing Day Kujichagalia!
Kwanzaa Thinking & Doing Day Kujichagalia!
Hosted by Kamora’s Cultural Corner at Keney Park Pond, 323 Edgewood Street, Hartford, CT
Friday, December 27, 2024 - 1pm-5pm
Free - Registration required
This in-person KCC in the Community Thinking and Doing Day is your chance to celebrate the Kwanzaa principle of Kujichagulia/self-determination, a day when we pledge “to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.”. You'll be introduced to Black Art Heals as one of our Healing Artists live paints the event as well as experience other artists and educators who will be sharing their gifts and talents. And you'll be challenged and encouraged to share your own during our community conversation and dinner!
Open Call to Families
Open Call to Families
Your contributions are what make this newsletter rich and engaging! Thank you to everyone who helped create this newsletter, especially our student writers! IDEA+ encourages every member of the community to consider sharing so that it keeps growing strong. Going forward, we hope to have even more student voices represented and would love any pictures, stories, recipes your child may want to submit.
Next submission deadline: 2/28/25
Final issue submission deadline: 5/16/25
If you’re interested in attending the IDEA+ Committee meetings, we encourage you to come to our next virtal meeting on Monday February 3rd at 7pm. Email the NWS PTO (nwpto@fpsct.org) with questions or ideas.
Thank you again!
NWS IDEA+ Committee
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